How does SPD affect childbirth?

[watercress]

Just wondered if or how SPD (or PGP if you call it that) affects labour and delivery. I've heard all kinds of things, from one midwife saying that if you have SPD you have an easier labour because everything has relaxed (if you know what I mean) to a physio saying that you have to be very careful (particularly if you have an epidural) as it is all too easy for your legs to get pushed too far apart and cause longer-term damage.

Also, does the SPD actually impact on labour? Last time I got quite a bit of relief from walking baout during the first stage, but can't imagine how I'll be able to do that this time as I'm suffering quite badly with SPD and am getting more and more immobile.

All experiences and advice welcome!

i had SPD with both pregnancies

With DD i hd a waterbirth and it was fantastic and i think really helped me to be comfortable and it supported me really well - would highly recommend

DS was a flat on my back delivery although i had been mobile throughout

no epidurals either time

SPD 90 % gone the day after both deliveries IME

If I'm totally honest, SPD was more painful than labour and delivery! I was planning on having a water birth, but had mecronium in my waters, so had to be monitored. Gave birth in stirrups.

Walking into the labour suite, was on crutches, had a support belt, and still had to stop every few minutes.

After the birth (litterally, just after) I walked into the bathroom without support and got myself in and out of the bath by myself for the first time in months.

I had a CS as my SPD was severe (wheelchar for last month) and they didn't want to risk me causing permanent damage.

I've had severe SPD (crutches for last 8 weeks) and gave birth on Tuesday. I had exactly the same concerns. I was upright and mobile during the whole 12 hour first stage with dd and the mere thought of being on my feet for 2 hours, never mind 12, filled me with absolute horror.

This time I still managed to spend a lot of the labour of my feet (albeit swaying rather than walking). I had a TENS on throughout and I think that helped the SPD pain as well as the cx's. I did some of the labour in the birthing pool which was lovely. The delivery itself was absolutely fine - 6 mins of pushing on a birthing stool. SPD almost disappeared immediately - legs were in stirrups for stitching and even that wasn't too painful..

CONRATULATIONS TSM.

Thanks You ok ?

Sorry for the hijack Watercress. TSM - email me with pics on [email protected]

Don't mind the hijack at all! Congratulations TSM!

And selfishly such a relief to hear that you've all had OK labours and the SPD has disappeared almost immediately.

Any more?

I had SPD and a brilliant labout with dd. I had a three minute second stage and the whole length of the labour was 3 hours. I had no pain relief but TENS.

It took about 6 weeks to fully recover from SPD.